Student Spotlight: Isabelle Wohlleber ’24 Steps Out of Her Comfort Zone for Workfest

Prior to this month's spring break, Isabelle Wohlleber had never operated a power tool. During a week spent in volunteer service recently, The University of Scranton senior gained new skills and put them to use  building a ramp and installing siding on a home in eastern Kentucky. 

Wohlleber assisted with home repair at multiple build sites with the Christian Appalachian Project Workfest from March 9 to 15. She, along with seven classmates and three chaperones, participated in one of several service trips organized through the University's Center for Service and Social Justice. 

The mathematical science major explained the inspiration that drew her to the experience.

"I became interested in going to Kentucky for a service trip after hearing all of the great things past students have said about it. I also wanted to do something different than my previous service experiences," said Wohlleber, of Hazleton.

"I had never used any power tools or built anything before, and I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and help people in this new way. I also feel that service looks different depending on the population you are helping, and I didn't have any prior volunteer experience in rural parts of the country. I wanted to see what that was like."

Student volunteers helped build a ramp, shown above, and install siding on a home in eastern Kentucky during a spring break as part of a Center for Service and Social Justice service trip.

Royals in Wohlleber's group included students Stephen Butler, Jack Burke, Andrew Gordos, Isabelle Jalandoni, Meghan Martin, Sarika Mongar and Sam Peters, and three chaperones, Andrea Malia, Eric Panicco and Dr. Sean Brennan.

"Everything I did on the trip I had never done before, which was really scary leading up to it," said Wohlleber.
"I wanted to focus on the present and live fully in the moment. It was important to me to immerse myself in the trip and reflect on all the service I was doing." 

Trip Takeaways

Wohlleber, who had volunteered previously with the Center for Service and Social Justice, said the Christian Appalachian Project in Kentucky provided meaningful experiences. She shared a few examples:

• "What surprised me most about the trip was the sense of community within the population we helped. Going to the participants' homes, we were able to see their close-knit community. My participant's neighbors installed a new vanity in their home, and one of their neighbors wanted to reuse the old wood from their deck. Everyone was always looking out for each other, which was really refreshing."
  
  
• "All of the volunteers at Christian Appalachian Project made us feel welcome as soon as we got there. Many have been volunteering with Workfest for years, and they have gotten to know each other and the participants so well." 

Wohlleber is part of the Combined Program with the university's graduate chemistry department. After she earns her undergraduate degree in May, she will be staying for a graduate year to finish up a Master's degree in biochemistry. Afterward, she hopes to attend medical school. 

"It was truly such a special place, and I cannot put it all into words. I felt like I was a part of the family the entire time I was there! 

Read more about the spring break service trips organized through the University's Center for Service and Social Justice in this week's Royal News.

Check back in the coming weeks for an interview with Claire Loder '24, who spent spring break volunteering in Phoenix, Arizona.